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Ireland believes in equality for all citizens, irrespective of gender, religion, race or sexual orientation, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.\nHe added that Ireland has championed free speech and Irish people believed in free trade and free enterprise.
\nMr Varadkar made the comments ahead of his bilateral meeting with President Trump in the White House today.
\n“American ideas and American values that spread around the world meant that a young boy growing up in Ireland, with an Indian father and an Irish mother, could dream of one day becoming the leader of his country, believing that the time would come when people would be judged on their principles and their ideals, on the content of their character and the quality of the work, and not on their sexuality or the color of their skin,” Mr Varadkar said.
\nThe Taoiseach said these were Irish values today.
\n“We believe in equality before the law for all citizens, irrespective of gender, religion, race or sexual orientation,” he said.
\n“We believe in free trade and free enterprise. “We champion free speech and freedom of association.
\n“And we are proud to assert that democracy and multi-lateralism are the best way of solving the world’s problems.”
\nMr Varadkar made the comments at the Ireland Funds Gala in Washington DC last night, ahead of his meeting with Mr Trump.
\nThe theme of this gala was the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement
\nNorthern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley, congressman Peter King, congressman Richard Neal and Bank of America vice-chairwoman Anne Finucane were among the attendees.
\nThey enjoyed a performance by flute player James Galway.
\nMr Neal told the attendees that there should be no return to a hard border.
\nThe Taoiseach said the Good Friday Agreement was painstakingly put in place to bridge Northern Ireland’s divisions.
\n“[It] set us on a path towards lasting reconciliation,” he said. “In the face of difficulties, we are resolute in our determination to protect all that has been achieved.”
\nHe added the influence and encouragement from the Irish in America would continue to be crucial in the coming period.
\nThe Taoiseach will hold a bi-lateral meeting with Mr Trump at the White House. Other engagements today will include an annual lunch hosted by the Speaker of the House at Capitol Hill.
\nMr Varadkar will use these opportunities to emphasize the strength of Irish-US relations and to highlight the case of the undocumented Irish.
\nIn the afternoon, the traditional shamrock ceremony will take place as part of the White House Saint Patrick’s Day Reception.
\nTomorrow, the Taoiseach will be guest of honor at a breakfast hosted by Vice President Pence. He will then head to New York for the final leg of the week-long visit for St Patrick’s Day.
\nIt will conclude on Saturday, March 17, with the traditional New York Saint Patrick’s Day program, including a meeting with Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral mass and walking in the Fifth Avenue parade.<\/p>\n